Fall 2003/Pasadena
CF500
Gorman
CF500: TEACHING FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION. Julie Gorman.
DESCRIPTION:
- What is "Christian Formation and Discipling" about? How do we
foster spiritual growth? What principles and processes undergird the church's
ministry of bringing believers to maturity in Christ? What do we need to become
in discipling others? What guide-lines help us become that? What is involved in
calling others to discipleship? What foundations undergird our continuous
growth in Christ? Because it is not enough just to know the truth, this course
deals with the "how" and "why" of living and communicating God's truth to
others with the purpose of growth and transformation into likeness. In
Christian formation our focus is on life; our goal is transformation; the total
community of believers is involved; modeling and interpersonal relationships
are critical concerns, and equipping the laity is essential.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Presents the basis for a philosophy of ministry with practical
implications for implementation of a ministry of Christian formation through
teaching.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet twice a week including a permanent in-class
small group. Class sessions will include demonstrations, experiential learning,
discussion, and small group involvement.
REQUIRED READING:
- Mulholland, M. Robert. Shaped by the Word. Upper Room,
1985.
- Palmer, Parker J. To Know As We Are Known. HarperSanFrancisco,
1993.
- Course Reader from Bookstore, including Gelpi, Donald, "Conversion," in
Committed Worship, vol. 1 (Liturgical Press, 1993); Gorman, Julie A.,
"Close Encounters of the Human Kind," in Community That Is Christian,
2nd ed. (Baker, 2002); Loder, James, "Transformation in Christian Education,"
in Christian Formation, ed. Astley, Francis and Crowder; McGrath,
Alister, "The Journey," in The Journey (Doubleday, 1999), Merriam,
Sharan B. and Rosemary S. Caffarella, "Key Theories of Learning," in
Learning in Adulthood, 2nd ed. (Jossey-Bass, 1999); Myers, Chet and
Thomas B. Jones, "The Case for Active Learning," in Promoting Active
Learning (Jossey-Bass, 1993), Richards, Lawrence O. "Critical Thinking," in
Journal of Christian Education (1994); Wilhoit, J., Theology and
Christian Education Christian Education and the Search for Meaning (Baker,
1986).
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Banks, Robert. Redeeming the Routines. Victor Books, 1987.
- Chan, Simon. Spiritual Theology. InterVarsity Press, 1999.
- Downs, Perry G. Teaching For Spiritual Growth. Zondervan, 1994.
- Knight, George R. Philosophy and Education. Andrews University
Press, 1998.
- LeBar, Lois. Education that is Christian. Victor Books,
1989.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Daily reading and responding via five short reflection papers plus
one book response in the 4-Mat format, shared with a small group. To make
practical the application of classroom principles, each member will respond to
Mulholland through journal keeping. Final paper summarizes and demonstrates
elements of formation in a particular focus of ministry.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Christian Formation and
Discipleship (MIN 4) and the M.A. in Theology requirement in Spirituality
(SPIR).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.